Clean Harbor Day ‘Celebration’ Saturday
Hundreds of volunteers will venture out in boats ranging in size from kayaks to tugboats to pull tons of trash from Newport Harbor at Saturday’s 16th annual Clean Harbor Day.
Organizers said Newport Harbor is polluted by waste discarded from the houses and 9,000 boats lining its shore. The harbor is also sullied by inland communities whose trash is washed through 900 storm drains that empty into the bay.
Last year, nearly 400 volunteers fished out 5 tons of debris, organizers said.
The event has been so successful over the years in raising the public’s awareness about pollution that this year’s cleanup is being characterized as a celebration, said event coordinator Wes Armand, a city Fire and Marine Department official.
“Fifteen years ago debris had reached the point where we were alarmed,” Armand said. “If the trend were to continue, the beneficial use of this bay would be diminished.”
Saturday’s event, from 8 to 11 a.m., will be followed by a barbecue lunch hosted by the event’s founder, Bill Hamilton, at the Cannery restaurant, 3010 Lafayette Ave. Volunteers will assemble at the restaurant.
The annual cleanup is sponsored by the Newport Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce. Information: (714) 644-3043.
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